Udermeister

There we go! Marc with the reference point!

I just love the way this armor looks when it's together! The bicep looks a bit low to me, feels like it should be inside the bell a bit more. I could be wrong though.

Okay so, I've sat down and made (shamelessly stolen) a list of things I need/want to do, keeping in mind there are certain things I just can't make work (i.e. the helmet): 1. Forearms - Disassemble, clean, trim to fit, assemble with cover strips 2. Biceps - Disassemble, clean, trim to fit, assemble with cover strips 3. Calves/Shins (lower leg) - Pad left shin to stop sniper plate from cutting my kneecap off, add velcro to closure 4. Ab - Replace FX buttons with more accurate buttons, trim extra flange from cod, add rivet. Considering separation of cod from ab for ease of use. 5. Posterior - Separate from kidney, check shape 6. Strapping - Snap plates, nylon web, etc 7. Thighs - Clean, trim to fit, assemble with cover strips 8. Chest and Shoulders - Remove shoulder straps, clean, check fitment between chest and back, potential mod on bottom for better accuracy 9. Shoulder Bells - Trim to fit, strap 10. Thermal Detonator - Decide between 2-piece or PVC pipe, invert "nipple", TD clips 11. Belt - Canvas belt completed, add ammo belt/holster/drop boxes 12. Back Plate - Check fitment with chest 13. Kidney - Separate from posterior, trim to fit so no overlap between back and kidney 14. Fitment Alterations 15. Reserved for additional details (new helmet, boots, etc) Let me know if I've missed any basic details or anything, keeping in mind I know this is a crap suit and I'm really just doing this for experience and eventual membership at this point!

Thanks, CTID Already have those on my mental list. Spose I should write it all down and get it in here so we're all on the same page lol. I'll have to do that tonight! As far as the 2-part TD, I've actually thought about keeping it and doing like Pandatrooper did on his AM build here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/10434-pandatroopers-am-build-threadam/page-2#entry141112 but PVC isn't expensive so perhaps I'll go the replacement route. Inverting the little nipple though, I'm sure I can do that. Separating the butt from the kidney is definitely something I'm going to do, I'm toying with cod separation as well from a mobility and bladder relief point of view. I've been looking at replacing the buttons as well, since they are slightly larger than acceptable right? Is VaderDave still around and selling his replacements or is there a new sheriff in town?

Oh I'm well aware that I'll need a new bucket, it was just a "proof of concept" to show myself I could do it. Plus I have a big ol' head lol. The adhesive is whatever was on the velcro that initially came with the kit - I don't know exactly what it is, just that it's heavy duty velcro gunk. I've tried pretty much everything under the sun and the only things that have worked even somewhat reliably have been either butane (zippo fuel) and Goof Off. The butane seemed to be the easier fix, since the gunk would just kind of sluff off, but I bought the goof off and it works after multiple applications. The guy I bought it from years ago got it for just costuming purposes, and I remember him saying he'd only worn it a handful of times before stuffing it into storage. It's in baaaad shape, but I'm doing what I can with it. Nothing's broken, it was just assembled in the worst way possible.

Bummer to hear the husband won't troop in it, but hey at least you still get to build it and it's not a complete bust! Keep it up, Mel!

So this weekend was super lazy and I didn't do much work on my armor. Mostly disassembling the bits that need to be redone and trying to clean years-old velcro adhesive off them. Which brings up a good question: I have a can of Goof-Off, and that seems to work fairly well for the most part (and yes I've tested it and it's fine on the plastic) but I've been having a little trouble getting it to really cut through the glue boogers without a ton of elbow grease. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could make the cleanup a bit easier? I find myself having multiple goes at it, hitting it with the goof off, scrubbing, scraping, repeating. Takes around an hour to get the plastic back to a place where I can go ahead and get it ready for correct assembly...

Oh hell, I didn't even think about that lol :| Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

RO? This is an acronym I've not heard yet, and I didn't see any mention of it in your thread. Can you explain? Oh, great build too! Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

Hey all, been a member of the forum here for a good while but I haven't had the guts to start my build. I'm going for ANH stunt, and there's a good bit I've gotta do. Before anyone flips out, I know my kit isn't great. I got it before I really knew about the 501st or the FISD, and if I had the funds I'd totally just buy a new, good kit. It's on my list, but I'm gonna try and get this one running for at least initial approval and build experience. The kit was bought from a guy that knew less than me when I bought it, and he put most of it together without any real fitment or anything, and it was in pretty bad shape. The helmet, while not acceptable for CRL standards, is something I've put a lot of time into to try and make it as good as possible. Anyway, on to the pics! Now, I've assembled the shins with butt joins and cover strips, but everything else needs to be pulled apart, cleaned up and reassembled. I'll be updating this as frequently as I have time and funds. Pretty sure I've got everything I need, and I have a mental list of things that need to be done but it's difficult to get it out and into this post. Any tips or suggestions are appreciated! I am aware of the EIB upgrades and I'm gonna do what I can with those. Oh, and I've made a canvas belt, it's all rolled up next to the ab armor in the photo. Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

Also, if I'm not mistaken, they're changing the CRL to say that the kidney notches are not required. So I spose that'd be a preferential thing. The FX kit I've heard is one of those ones that'll never be centurion approved, which is I think the only level the notches are needed. Edit: Mel, I just started my build thread, so thanks for the motivation! Here it is: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/39519-udermeisters-fxjedirobe-rescuepractice-build/ Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

Hey Melanie! Funny you should post up this kit, cause I have the exact same that I got from a dude on craigslist around 4 years ago (before I found the FISD). Just started working on it myself! From my research, I've decided that it's either FX or a JediRobe - which from what I can tell is a recast of FX. I'm gonna follow your thread, and I'll post mine up soon and we can be FX buddies! One note, if I'm correct the FX is still acceptable, but needs mods. The ab buttons need to be swapped, the chest plate needs to be modded and a few other things should be done too. Here's a thread that goes over what needs to be done to make this the best it can be: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/12478-howto-easily-make-your-fx-armor-eib-acceptable/ Good luck!

So basically, it's variable. Lol. I plan on starting on it tomorrow, hopefully, and we'll see how it goes from there.

Hey guys, I registered here a while back, but have mostly been lurking and absorbing information. I bought a used set of FX armor (I know, I know) back before I registered and found that it's crap, but it's what I've got. When I bought it, I told myself I'd have it done by Halloween and haven't started building it yet. I realize it's crunch time now, and I feel like once I get started it won't take me long, but I had a question come up in my mind today that I haven't seen a solid answer on yet. My question is this: Realistically, how many working hours does it take to put together the armor? My realization that it's down to the wire time-wise is making me feel like I won't be able to get it done by the end of the month, what with moving and spending time with my son and my girlfriend, but I'd sure like to have it done! So, have any of you actually kept track of working time as far as assembly and fitment? How long did it take you? Thanks for reading and (hopefully) answering! ~Justin

Looks like milk... Good on him for getting some play time in!

32 in a few months. Gonna start building the armor soon here, haven't "officially" joined yet...

I've been having some trouble staying motivated to build my armor. It's old FX stuff, and the guy I got it from really didn't know what he was doing. There are layers and layers of old, nasty glue - both still somewhat sticky and hardened to rock-solid. It's really disheartening, but I'm gonna be really getting to it soon; I really want it done.

Hate to bump a couple month old thread, but the heat method worked for me! Got a used set of FX armor including the helm (I know, I know) which was in BAD shape. Heated up all the glue on the helm and was able to slide a blade through it all to separate it. Now it's back to basics so I can try to get it looking less crap.